Evolution
Story 1: Give it Up
by hmfan24
"You say that, but you don't mean it. I know I look old now. I know what I used to look like and that I don't look anything like that now."
Sasuke wouldn't admit to noticing that Hinata was growing wrinkles in the corners of her eyes. There wasn't much he couldn't observe with his superhuman Sharingan eyes.
After all, it was his skill of keen observance that aided him in arduous task of courting the Hyuuga heiress so that they had coincidental encounters at the market, at her favorite tea shop and on the pathway to her home at night. He had learned what made the corners of her tight mouth tilt downwards into a frown. He had learned what made her eyes squint into a smile. He had learned what made the vein of her temple pulsate from stress or anger due to his own blunt character.
Contrary to popular belief, she wasn't as much of a pushover. There were times where she'd politely urge others to cease actions that pestered her - especially him. Sasuke's theory was that most of the people she dealt with were just too dense to notice the tone of her inflictions.
Regardless, he would swallow his pride because he noticed whenever he did, he'd trigger a loving smile to appear upon her face.
The Uchiha ran his hand through his course, greying hair.
"I'm sorry," he said with much effort, "It's just... sometimes I can't believe that you've been by my side for so long. I know it's selfish, but I'm glad you never tried to find anyone better."
hmfan24: I wrote this after I found out that I could say everything I wanted to say in my multi-chapter stories and turn them into drabbles and one-shots.